Greta Lazzara has had her share and trials and tribulations during her college years at Case Western Reserve University.
But things came together for the Fox Chapel Area High School graduate during her senior soccer season.
Lazzara was named a Division III, third-team All-American as she helped lead Case to a 16-2-2 record, the University Athletic Association title and a berth in the Round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.
Many athletes overcome injuries to attain success — but Lazzara’s injuries really tested her determination.
After graduating from Fox Chapel in 2018, Lazzara was getting set for her freshman collegiate season when she was diagnosed with a heart condition.
“Initially, I almost gave up soccer my freshman year with a heart condition,” Lazzara said. “It was a blow to my motivation. But I realized I could overcome it with information from doctors and was able to recover. I had a lot on my plate, but I had great friends around me that helped me through it.”
Other postseason awards for Lazzara included 2021 United Soccer Coaches All-America first-team recognition, All-Region first-team honors and All-UAA first-team laurels.
It made a difference to play a full season for the first time. In her sophomore year, Lazzzara suffered a broken collarbone. She had knee problems as a junior and had an iron deficiency during the coronavirus outbreak.
Case Western was eliminated in the third game of the NCAAs, losing to Chicago, 2-1. The Spartans had defeated Pittsburgh’s Chatham University and Ohio Northern in the first two rounds.
Turns out, Lazzara played the final three games with broken ribs.
Said Lazzara: “I didn’t realize it at first. I had a sharp pain in my side, but I still wanted to play. I wanted to finish the season.”
Her coach, Jen Simonetti, was also named Division III women’s soccer coach of the year.
“Greta was instrumental in our team’s success this season,” said Simonetti, who has roots in the Pittsburgh region but grew up in northeast Ohio. “She is a tough player in every sense and an ideal person to coach. We didn’t see eye-to-eye at first, but I got her to put her trust in me to play her in the right position, looking at her as a center back.”
Lazzara was the leader of the Spartans defense that posted 13 shutouts, the most in school history. The unit allowed just 10 goals in 20 games — 0.49 goals against average. Lazzara scored two goals and had four points this past season, including the game-winning goal against John Carroll on Sept. 23.
One person not surprised by Lazzara’s success is Fox Chapel coach Peter Torres, who recalled her versatility for the Foxes.
“She’s an extremely versatile player who was able to perform at a high level,” Torres said. “Greta was a high character student and person for us and a great kid to coach. As a senior forward, she was aggressive and a very good dribbler.”
What next for Lazzara?
She will graduate in May with a degree in chemical engineering and is already fielding job offers from major companies.
“I feel given my strength in math, chemistry and physics, I can go a lot of different ways into consulting, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals,” Lazzara said.
Lazzara said she is also looking at counseling and wanting to help people. With all she’s been through, Lazzara can certainly relate to overcoming setbacks.
George Guido is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
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